'Net Features : iphone

iPad Traffic Falls After Holidays

Allison Howen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:35:00 GMT

There has been a bit of a shake-up in the tablet world, thanks to the Kindle Fire’s popularity over the holiday season.

In fact, insights from online advertising network Chitika reveal that the iPad’s tablet Web shares fell by 7.1 percent following the Christmas holiday, while the Kindle Fire’s Web tablet Web shares rose by 3.03 percent. That being said, the iPad still maintains the overall largest share of tablet traffic at 78.86 percent. It is also important to note that Chitika expects the iPad’s share of tablet traffic to return to the 80 percent range as consumers return back to work and decrease their browsing habits on their new devices.

Chitika’s insights analyzed hundreds of millions of smartphone and tablet impressions from the Chitika ad network in the U.S. and Canada from December 1st through December 27th. The results also found that the iPhone 5 gained 1.1 percent of the smartphone usage share after the holidays, while the Galaxy S III gained 1 percent. Moreover, just as Apple’s iPad rules the tablet market, the iPhone also currently maintains the largest share of smartphone traffic at 8.27 percent.

Mobile Traffic Declines in July (And More Statistics)

Michael Garrity — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Affiliate Window, one of the United Kingdom’s leading performance marketing networks, has unleashed upon the world its July report concerning mobile and m-commerce statistics.

Most curiously, the company found that the share of Web traffic through mobile devices actually dropped from over 12 percent in June to making up around just nine percent of total traffic in July. This isn’t terribly peculiar, as May saw a slight decrease, as well, following month-by-month increases for the first four months of the year.

On the upside, however, the volume of mobile clicks actually increased. And not only that, but the share of sales through mobile devices also rose, finally crossing the nine percent threshold at 9.42 percent. Ultimately, this figure, coupled with the drop in traffic, seems to show a closer alignment between mobile conversion rates and those of their desktop counterparts, as mobile conversion rates improved throughout July, increasing to 3.14 percent.

The report also breaks down mobile and m-commerce statistics by mobile device. It shouldn’t really be a surprise that Apple is (still) leading the pack, with the iPhone driving 38 percent of all mobile traffic by the end of the month. However, it’s not all sunshine for the brand, as iPad traffic actually ended up dropping below 40 percent. On the other hand, iPad sales reached a high of 63 percent of all mobile sales by the end of the month, and the iPhone ended up accounting for 24.87 percent.

Android devices saw traffic increases in July, with the number resting between 18 and 19 percent, up from June’s 17.5 percent. BlackBerry and “Other” devices both decreased, driving 1.5 and two percent of July’s mobile traffic, respectively. In terms of sales, Android saw another increase, ranging between 11.5 and 13 percent throughout the four weeks of July, while BlackBerry and “Other” devices both stayed below two percent.

From a year-to-date perspective, iPads have driven 57 percent of all mobile sales, with iPhones coming in second at 27 percent, and followed by Android (11 percent), BlackBerry (3 percent) and other devices (2 percent). Adding to this, Affiliate Window found that the iPhone, Android and “Other” devices allow showed an improvement in conversion rates in July; in fact, they were all almost identical at around 2.1 percent.

I think it’s fair to say that if you take anything away from this report, it’s not to put too much stock in the future of BlackBerry.

Create an iOS-Ready Site with This New Tool

Michael Garrity — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 03:00:00 GMT

International domain name registrar and cloud hosting provider Gandi wants to help you be iOS-ready with its latest product, Gandi Basekit.

This new website creation tool was built for compatibility with Apple iOS devices, meaning iPhones and iPads. Customers create sites that will be easily, automatically viewable on these mobile devices; and, of course, they will be hosted by Gandi.

Oh, and it’s totally free.

Websites can be created using HTML5 and CSS style sheets, an important component in developing for iOS, which doesn’t support Flash. This does away with the need to set up Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) or Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) systems for similar functionality.

The tool comes with a variety of features and benefits for users. For instance, it was designed for ease-of-use, and offers preconfigured and customizable theme templates, so users can start building their websites in no time. That being said, it also comes with a powerful infrastructure for more advanced developers, providing tools that allow experts to directly edit their sites’ HTML and CSS codes using preset or user-supplied graphics and images.

And, one cannot forget the integrated social media tools (including link installation for the most widely used social media sites), e-commerce integration with a Google Checkout widget for payment functionality and intuitive content management that allows users to edit block text, add more blocks, reposition images and add a submit button or navigation menu using a simple drag-and-drop interface.

Basekit is the latest in Gandi’s portfolio of free tools. It is currently available for all of Gandi’s customers.

PixelMags Offers HTML5 Compatibility to Advertisers

Michael Garrity — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:30:00 GMT

PixelMags, the content distribution software and publishing tools provider, has recently amped up its Ad Network, Ads by PixelMags, by introducing full HTML5 advertisements.

The company specializes in magazine application publishing and have established services for both publishers and advertisers. Ads by PixelMags is designed for the digital magazine industry.

Now, in conjunction with Starz and Anchor Bay Entertainment, PixelMags is allowing digital publishers to take advantage of their content delivery software (CDS) and HTML5 capabilities and third party companies are able to promote themsevles to PixelMags' readers. The new HTML5 pages are fully interactive and can do things like display videos and allow users to buy products without ever leaving the app.

The first advertisements displayed are for the Blu-Ray releases of the popular shows Spartacus and Camelot.

PixelMags makes it possible for advertisers to run adds in multiple magazines, rather than just one, which gives them the opportunity to reach as broad or specific of an audience as they want. The entirety of PixelMags' reader database, which includes over 200 different magazines, is now open to advertisers.

Among the new features introduced by Ads by PixelMags are enhanced ad placement opportunities, the ability to choose the ad page of an issue and allowing advertisers to control and edit their advertisements. There is also the option for advertisers to specifically target certain demographics, such as age, sex or device (iPhone or iPad).

Data Shows a Country Divided in Mobile OS Choice

Allison Howen — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:30:00 GMT

A new study shows that consumers in the South and Southwest tend to be more likely to use an Android phone, where as consumers in the Midwest and Northeast are more likely to use an iPhone.

Jumptap, a targeted mobile advertiser, revealed these patterns from their monthly mobile STAT (Simple Targeting & Audience Trends) data report based on data from the first half of 2011.

The study also shows that although Android may be the most used mobile platform, iOS ads perform better than ads on any other operating system.

According to the report, Sony Ericsson was the only Android device with ad performance close to iOS— with a .54 percent click-through rate, which is higher than Android’s industry average of .52 percent. However iOS devices have a dominate .78 percent click-through rate when it comes to ads.

“Our advertisers are requesting the most granular data available on mobile users so they can create the most targeted campaigns,” said Paran Johar, Chief Marketing Officer for Jumptap. “This new data reveals some interesting patterns for advertisers to consider when targeting consumers using Android devices vs. iOS devices.”

And although states like California, Texas and Florida are team Android and states like Illinois, Wisconsin and Louisiana are team iPhone, the bigger surprise is that Blackberry still has some dominance— in states like New York and Oregon.

eCC Mobile for Magento from Webgility

Pete Prestipino — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Can you manage your online storefront from your mobile device?

Webgility (a provider of eCommerce and QuickBooks integration software) is making that task possible with eCC Mobile, an iphone application that enables merchants to manage their online store through their mobile device.

eCC Mobile currently supports the Magento eCommerce platform (Community, Professional and Enterprise editions) and will be integrating with other shopping cart platforms this year, including X-Cart, Ubercart, Open Cart, ZenCart, osCommerce and many more.

eCC Mobile is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, and requires iOS 4.1 or later. Users of the application can monitor sales performance, view order status, review store catalog, and update product details (pricing, quantity, etc.). You can also directly contact customers using native iPhone features, such as text messaging, email and phone.

iAd Gallery Shows Advertisers the Way

Mike Phillips — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:09:00 GMT

If your business is considering running mobile ad campaigns (or already running them) have a look at a new app from Apple, iAd Gallery. Here, advertisers can browse through the latest mobile ads from some of the top advertisers and innovators in the industry; including American Express, BMW and McDonald's.

Ads can be searched, sorted or simply browsed. Also included are the agencies responsible for each ad. Overall, it's a nice way to keep tabs on what the big agencies and advertisers are doing, and what consumers are being exposed to, in order to help create and plan your next interactive mobile ad, whether on Apple's system or elsewhere.

Those interested in the app will need the iPhone 4.2.6 software update.

Android Ads Get Interactive, Challenge Apple

Mike Phillips — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:51:00 GMT

According to Google, more than 200,000 Android-enabled devices are being activated on a daily basis - up from just 60,000 per day in February. Correspondingly, Android apps now number more than 100,000 - double the number of available apps in May. In short, Android is rolling. So, advertising is in hot pursuit.

Google's AdMob (their mobile advertising unit) is launching interactive video and interactive interstitial ad units on the Android platform. These interactive ads will automatically optimize for each user, by identifying the screen resolution, size and network connection speed.

According to the official Google Mobile Ads Blog, "AdMob interstitial ads are reserved for developers of the most popular and engaging iOS and Android apps. These high value ad units can be placed at app-open or in-app and provide an additional option for premium publishers to effectively monetize their user base."

This is yet another sign of Android's surging popularity and another step closer to pulling even with the iPhone. It won't be long now before Apple starts hearing footsteps from every possible angle - from phones to tablets, and apps to ads.

AppMakr Upgrades to Full iOS 4

Pete Prestipino — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:28:00 GMT

Self-service application creation platform AppMakr announced an upgrade which features full iOS 4 compatibility and adds some interesting advanced CSS and JavaScript customization capabilities.

Advanced users can now insert JavaScript code and CSS styling into specific feeds within their apps. The upgrade will enables publishers to create apps with custom actions, content behaviors and styling that they have full control over.

“We have a lot of advanced AppMakr users that are creating highly customized apps and this was an upgraded feature that we’ve heard a lot of requests for,” said Isaac Mosquera, PointAbout’s Chief Technical Officer and a Co-Founder. “We’re looking forward to seeing some of the engaging user experiences that our publishers will be able to create with this new level of control and capabilities!”

AppMakr has also added Millennial media as one of its mobile advertising options that application creators can integration to monetize their creations.

iPhone vs Android in AdMob's April 2010 Metrics Report

Pete Prestipino — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Mobile advertising network Admob has unveiled its April 2010 Mobile Metrics report (http://metrics.admob.com/) and has compared unique devices running the android and iPhone Operating Systems in its network.

According to the report, the Android OS had its greatest concentration of unique devices in North America (75 percent) in April 2010, followed by Asia (12 percent) and Western Europe (11 percent). iPhone OS devices are more broadly distributed worldwide, but also had its greatest concentration in North America (49 percent), followed by Western Europe (28 percent) and Asia (14 percent).

In the US there was a 2 to 1 ratio of iPhone OS devices to Android OS devices; worldwide, that ratio expanded to 3.5 to 1. In AdMob’s network there were 8.7 million unique Android OS devices and 10.7 million unique iPhones in the United States in April 2010. But when non-phone devices running the iPhone OS – the iPod touch and iPad – are included, the number of unique devices jumps to 18.3 million in the US. Worldwide, there were 11.6 million unique Android OS devices, 27.4 million unique iPhones and 40.8 million unique iPhone OS devices.

2010 AdMob Mobile Metrics Report

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:40:00 GMT

Mobile advertising network (and recent Google acquisition) AdMob took a look at Android Operating System traffic in its 2010 AdMob Mobile Metrics Report and found that the “diversity of devices” was increasing.

In March 2010, there were 34 Android devices from 12 manufacturers available to consumers. In AdMob’s network in March 2010, 11 devices accounted for 96 percent of Android traffic, up from two devices in September 2009. The three primary versions of the Android OS all drove significant traffic in March 2010 – Android 1.5 (38 percent), Android 2.0/2.1 (35 percent) and Android 1.6 (26 percent). Motorola and HTC were the leading Android device manufacturers with 44 percent and 43 percent of respective traffic.

Other highlights from the report include:

• Motorola Droid was the leading Android handset in March 2010 generating 32 percent of Android traffic, while the Google Nexus One drove only two percent of Android traffic.
• At least 54 percent of Android traffic came from devices with a QWERTY keyboard.
• Three devices – the iPhone 3GS (39 percent), second generation iPod touch (25 percent) and iPhone 3G (20 percent) – generated 84 percent of total iPhone OS traffic.
• iPhone 3GS traffic share has increased from 30 percent in September 2009 to 39 percent in March 2010. The 1st Generation iPhone only generated 2 percent of iPhone OS requests in March 2010.
• Total worldwide traffic in AdMob’s network increased 18 percent month-over-month.

A Solution to Flash on iPhone and iPad

Mike Phillips — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:59:00 GMT

Ripcode, a transactional transcoding service provider has released a server-side product as a workaround to get Flash content on the iPhone and iPad. The TransAct Transcoder V6 is installed on a website's server - no need to alter website code or go through Apple's gauntlet - then transcodes the Flash into a format that can be displayed on the Apple devices, when it detects such a request. This includes any Flash files or streaming video.

"The ‘Flash on iPad’ dilemma is really just the latest in a long line of speed bumps on the road towards ‘any-content, any-time, any-place, any-device’ that we all desire," said Ripcode CEO Brendon Mills. "Fortunately, our technology removes this barrier in a way that is attractive to content hosters, a key device manufacturer, a key video player provider, and the end user alike."

Live Streaming Video Apps Have Big Potential

Mike Phillips — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:53:00 GMT

Justin.tv, a pioneer in live video streaming, recently launched an iPhone app to compete with a similar, existing Ustream app. And in just one week, it has been downloaded more than 350,000 times, making it the second-most downloaded "social" app, behind Facebook.

Live video streaming is still somewhat new, but the potential for website owners and businesses is extremely attractive. The possibilities might include live interviews, trade show walk-throughs, product announcements, corporate meetings ... if it's worthy of live attention, you can do it.

The Justin.tv app has a few nice features, including the ability to search and sort live channels and to pick channels as "favorites" for later viewing. Perhaps the best features for businesses include the ability to share streams with friends and "push" notifications that will alert the user when your channel starts broadcasting.

Ustream's app supports iPhone, Android and several Nokia models and features one very important capability not currently on the Justin.tv app - live broadcasting from your phone. However, many reviewers of the app claim it to be buggy and not yet ready for prime time.

Combined, Ustream.tv and Justin.tv garnered nearly three million unique visitors in February, 2010. There is a unique opportunity here for businesses to try something new and offer a unique experience to their consumers. It might be early to use live video streaming as anything more than a value-added technique but stay tuned - the iPad carries even greater hopes for viewing and possibly broadcasting, should Apple decide to include a camera in the next version. And if the rumors of the iPhone coming to Verizon come to fruition, you're looking at an entirely new marketplace for these and all apps.

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Website Analyzer for iPhone (and iPad)

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:52:00 GMT

Pear Analytics™ today announced the release of its free Website Analyzer™ for the iPhone® and soon to be iPad® application.

The application analyzes any website or blog by scanning the site and a variety of data sources to determine how “SEO-friendly” the website is. Within 30 seconds, the user will get a full report on their website with vast and easy-to-read information and resources to show the user how to fix or solve the problems in non-technical, easy-to-follow instructions.

Through its SiteJuice product, Pear develops software to help website owners with search engine optimization tasks. The iPhone/iPad app is simply an extension to their existing product suite, and is similar to the Free SEO Analysis you can get on Pear’s website, but with a couple of extra advantages. The app provides anyone the ability to review the status of key SEO elements in a mobile environment.

Pear says that many of the clients who use their products are boutique ad agencies and web development shops who could easily use the app to help counsel and work with clients in better understanding the strategic value of sound SEO principles and practices.

Pear’s mobile app looks pretty robust, offering users the ability to store their last ten reports and even email those reports to clients or colleagues.

Fun Facts, Few Surprises in AdMob Mobile Metrics Report

Linc Wonham — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:35:00 GMT

The release of AdMob’s January 2010 Mobile Metrics Report reveals some intriguing data from the mobile advertising network’s latest consumer survey, but the trends taking shape across iPhone, Android and Palm webOS application platforms are for the most part predictable.

The just-released report was compiled as a six-month follow-up to AdMob’s July 2009 survey intended to track consumer usage and attitudes throughout the mobile Internet category. There were 960 respondents among users of iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and webOS devices on the more than 15,000 mobile Websites and applications presently in AdMob’s network. Left out of the survey was the RIM platform because AdMob does not currently serve ads into Blackberry applications.

Some interesting, if not surprising statistics coming out of the report include a 5 percent rise in requests coming from mobile Internet devices throughout AdMob’s network since the first survey was conducted six months earlier—17 percent in January 2010 as compared to 12 percent in July 2009; a 10-percent disparity between iPhone users (16 percent) and Android users (6 percent) that said they intended to purchase the new iPad when it becomes available next month (webOS users split the difference at 11 percent), and the following breakdown of monthly application downloads among the four groups of respondents: 12.1 downloads per month for iPod Touch users (10.5 free downloads and 1.6 paid); 8.8 monthly downloads for iPhone users (7.0 free, 1.8 paid); 8.7 for Android users (7.6/1.1), and 5.7 for webOS users (5.1/0.6).

This last trend in particular is easily explained by the fact that 78 percent of iPod Touch users are under the age of 25—a group made up largely of students and kids downloading free games. Less easily explained, though, is perhaps the most curious of all the data: 73 percent of Android users responding to the survey were males, compared to 58 percent of webOS users, 57 percent of iPhone users, and 54 percent of iPod Touch users.

Perhaps the folks behind the Android’s male-friendly marketing campaign will take note and we’ll see a more delicate touch in the future—or not.